Is reading better than TikTok?

The positive benefits of reading are well known, and this has been the topic of many studies to understand how and why. Despite the statistics, teens in America are spending more and more time on their phones and social media. This begs the question–how exactly does reading improve a person? 

Research shows the many benefits of fitting a book into your schedule. A 2003 study from the National Library of Medicine notes, “The relationship between reading proficiency and educational attainment has been frequently documented,” as well as “Children’s voluntary reading positively correlates with school grades, vocabulary growth, reading comprehension, verbal fluency, general information, and attitudes towards reading.” 

The advantages of reading are not limited to academic success–it can help to develop “more confidence and motivation,” according to the Institute of Reading Development. These are skills that will be used in many aspects of life, which can help foster resilience.

Reach Out and Read writes about the other benefits that stem from reading: “Better recognition of sounds and letters, knowledge of a wider range of vocabulary, increased listening skills and a deeper understanding of how stories work.”

The number of adults who read a book each year is low. It was at 44 percent in 2023, according to a study by the National Literacy Institute. More than half of American adults did not read a book a year. In 2025, approximately 21 percent of American adults are illiterate, and more than half of adults have reading skills below a sixth-grade level.

Studies done on TikTok usage show a stronger comparison to the reading statistics. Research from the Pew Research Center shows that children ages 13 to 17 use TikTok, which is 63 percent of TikTok’s demographic. More than half of the kids who have the app say they use it daily. Additionally, teenagers spend an average of 4.8 hours a day on social media, according to the American Psychological Association. If just one of those hours each week were spent reading instead, the benefits could be seen prolifically. 

All of the numbers listed above show that a larger number of kids are on social media more than they read books, which are known to benefit teens and children (as well as adults)  positively. So, next time you can, read a book in your free time–and maybe buy your parents one too.